Vitter endorses Tucker in secretary of state race

Republican House Speaker Jim Tucker
has picked up the backing of U.S. Sen. David Vitter in the secretary of
state's race. Vitter threw his endorsement Wednesday to Tucker
over the current GOP officeholder, Tom Schedler, for the state's top
elections job. In an e-mail to supporters, Vitter called Tucker a proven
"budget hawk" and an effective leader.

File photoHouse Speaker Jim Tucker

Tucker is a term-limited
lawmaker from the New Orleans area who has been speaker of the House
since 2008 and has led the chamber as the GOP took control for the first
time since Reconstruction.

Schedler issued a statement saying his
campaign isn't worried about the Vitter endorsement. A former state
senator, Schedler took over the job in November when Jay Dardenne was
sworn in as lieutenant governor.